MCV Jobs Weekly: Pannell quits Ubi, top jobs

In MCV's weekly rundown of the hottest vacancies and latest personnel news, long-serving Ubisoft exec Murray Pannell departs and we look at the best job vacancies.

Marketing boss leave Ubisoft

Murray Pannell has left leading publisher Ubisoft, and is seeking a new challenge.

Pannell joined Ubisoft as UK marketing director from Xbox. He has overseen a hugely successful period for the games publisher, with Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell and Just Dance amongst the many highpoints.

"We are sorry to lose Murray, but wish him well," Ubisoft Northern Europe managing director Rob Cooper told MCV. "He has managed our brands well and, with the help of the team around him, our marketing has been professional, creative and energetic.

"Contemplation on life after Murray has already begun, but it is certainly reassuring that he is leaving behind such a capable and experienced department."

She moves to the company’s newest division from design-led brand Magibox, which sells into the audio and telecoms market. Prior to this, she spent 10 years as sales and marketing director at IDS UK. Gillman will report to Gem’s head of business development Philip Munro.

“By creating the GDC division of Gem and hiring Jo, with her experience in this area, we now have an umbrella for all of our in-house brands, including Exspect, which remains one of our core strategies, but will now sit under GDS,” said GDS general manager Mike Sanderson.

“Jo, working alongside Gem’s business development team, can skilfully offer retailers products with a point of difference, which in turn will offer improved margins. I’m delighted with Jo’s appointment and look forward to watching GDS develop.”

Marvelous AQL expands UK team with two senior managersThe Japanese publisher, known for popular mobile and browser games Logres of Swords and Sorcery and Three Kingdoms, has bolstered its European team with two new hires.

Ben Andac has joined as creative producer, leaving his senior designer role at Taiwan’s Keystone Game Studio. He will head up all European game design and production work for Marvelous AQL’s upcoming mobile, social and console games.

Meanwhile, Mike Hawkins takes on the role of marketing director, joining from social game developer Kabam. He will be responsible for all of the company’s distribution and marketing activities across Europe.

“This marks an important step on our journey into the European social and mobile games market,” said Marvelous AQL Europe CEO Harry Holmwood.

“I’m thrilled to be putting in place a world-class team, to bring the best Japanese and European games to the market.”

Bolton University recruits industry veteranChris Bateman has joined the games faculty at the University of Bolton as a researcher and lecturer. Bateman has spent the past 12 years operating his own consultancy, International Hobo, through which he has worked with major publishers and developers.

He is also known for his time in games development, having worked on titles ranging from Discworld Noir to Motorstorm: Apocalypse.

“Joining the University of Bolton is a natural next step for me,” said Bateman. “Bolton is delighted to have me as a researcher, a lecturer and as a consultant – and they have actively encouraged me to continue the kind of consultancy work I’ve been doing for the last decade. “I’m sure I can do great things with the talent and resources that the University of Bolton has at its disposal.”

MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by NewBay Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets.